To do its job, your books title (even at the outline stage) must be special! It can whisper, it can holler, it can whinny, but it has to be specific. When your books addressed to everyone, its addressed to no one. Eek! you cry, That means nobody will read it! Exactly. Next time youre wandering the bonny aisles of Bones and Narble, or surfing the Amazonian waves, take a look at the titles that catch your eye. When you see How to Know Things the Smart Way do you run over to grab that juicy paper sandwich, eager to sink your teeth in? No, indeed, you do not. And why not? Because it's not rigorously specific. And heres a way to ponder that

Try this! First, look around and find something in the room. It can be Anything, just so long as it isnt Everything. Now -- Right Now write 3 book titles for that something that would interest YOU. Aw, go on, itll be fun Here are mine:

Finding a Flashlight in Your Sleep (and other Midnight Tricks)

7 Ways to Outwit Your Boss (Without Getting Fired)

Why I Left Hawaii in a Huff: Honeymooners Pet Peeves

Now, none of these books may become a bestselling paper sandwich, fair reader, but each title does pique interest exuding that magical quality that OPIE calls zing. That means you enjoyed thinking it up which, in turn, means your readers will see your books title, pick it up, and immediately begin to chew with delight. And we all know where that can lead So open your eyes, find something interesting, and work up a title. Dont sweat, just let your Inner Smarty Pants flex her brilliant little biceps: invent a working title YOU would be interested to read. So remember . . . It dont mean a thing if it aint got that ZING.

Heres to working titles that work! Heres to your Inner Smarty Pants! Heres to unique and adorable you!

WARNING: When doing the exercises recommended above, kindly usher your Inner Critic* out of the room. Flex your originality!

* Inner Critic: The person within you who doesnt like what you think up.